Avanti R2, 1963, refresh

[pacerman]

I thought prior to 2000 you had to guess at the year because only the last digit of the year was used.  You could use clues like the "model" of the tire. For instance a Goodyear Invicta may not have been made for over ten years.  I also thought the two digits before the year were the Julian date for that year.  In your case, the tires could then have been made on the 58th day of 2007, 1997, 1987, etc.   But if you researched it, I'm probably incorrect.  

[Bill Stoneberg]

Even at 2007 the tires are too old to relabily go anywhere but around town. I have a set of 8 year old TA Radials on my Riviera and just waiting for my Christmas bonus to replace them.

[packick]

John et. al.

I found this explanation on http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=maintenance&story=tires-101&subject=tires:

 

Found close to the rim, the TIN (Department of Transportation's Tire Identification Number) consists of a series of 10-12 letters and numbers that — like a vehicle identification number — are of little use to a consumer. But the last four numbers represent the birth week and year of any tire built since 2000.

 

DOT H25R YC24 4305

 

The tire above was manufactured in the 43rd week of 2005. Tires built before 2000 used a three-digit code, where the year was reduced to a single digit. If the tire above were from 1997 rather than 2005, its code would be 437. Would 437 also be the code for a tire made in the 43rd week of 1987? Unfortunately, yes, it would — and that's why four digits are now used.

 

Hope this helps . . . somewhat.

[unimogjohn]

Joe, agree with the four digit numbering scheme, but Steve's tires do not have that.  So they must have been made before 2000.  Still too old to be on the road.  I have told Steve that he need to replace them.  

 

I have started work on an old 1996 Craftsman riding mower.  It has a Kohler 15.5 HP single cylinder engine in it.   I got it at auction for $400 about 12 years ago.  A couple of years ago Alice was using it in the pasture cutting down weeds, and it just quit.  So I made a quick attempt to fix it, but just ended up pushing it into the barn.  There she sat ever since.  

 

So now I am going to attempt to bring her back to life.  I checked all the wiring and safety switches, and they all seem to be OK.  But she is not getting any spark.  So I suspect that the coil gave up.  I finally found one for $35 including shipping.  So in a few days we will see if that works to breathe life into the old gal.   The engine, not Alice!

 

Here are are pictures of the Camaro's engine bay, all ready to go home.  And the old Craftsman riding mower.

Edited December 22, 2015 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[packick]

Camaro Steve had better hurry up and have his car judged before the engine gets dirty.  It looks fantastic!

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

 Such a beautiful engine to be hidden beneath all the other stuff.   Customs, restorods  have a lot going for them in this department.

 

  Ben

[unimogjohn]

It is Thursday, Christmas Eve, December 24th, early PM.  Now that the Camaro is gone, it is time for some love for the Avanti.  Went out to dinner last night with Steve and he said that the car ran great except for a weak spring on the throttle rod inside the engine bay.  He had a stronger one and that made the fix.  I did ask him how much he thought he had into the rebuilds.  He said that minus our labor he had $2,000 into the transmission and $3,000 into the engine.  And those numbers included everything to include donuts for us.

 

Now enough for the Camaro and back to the Avanti.  I got it up on the two post this morning and changed the oil in the engine.  I have a big oil leak somewhere by the front cover and fuel pump.  When I get these projects done I am going to pressure was the front of the engine and suspension, and then attempt to see where it is coming from.

 

With the engine oil changed I moved to the transmission fluid change.  I am sure that it has been forty years since it last change or more.  I also took the time to drain the fluid out of the converter.  You that to turn the engine by hand to find the little screw that drains it through a small hole in the bottom of the bell housing.  With that done I moved to the transmission pan.  The filler tube nut was really on very tight, but got it off with a long four foot extension on a big adjustable wrench.  That drained about 99% of the fluid out the tranny.

 

I then removed the pan bolts and got the cover off.  The cork gasket gave up with a few blows with a plastic hammer.  There was some debris in the bottom the pan.  Not metal, but kind of a grit.  So I gave the pan a good clean outside and in, and painted it as was the original.  The valve body is very clean and nothing looks out of sorts.  The filter had a little debris on it, and a half inch cut on one end.  I wonder how long that has been there?

 

The old and new filter are the same shape, but reversed.  On the old one the screen was on the bottom, on the new one it is on the top with the metal base on the bottom.

 

I now have everything cleaned up and ready to go back together on Saturday.  In addition to the new fluid I am going to put in a bottle of conditioner.  I could do some adjustment to the main servo, but going to let that dog be for now.  The transmission and engine only has 44,000 on it so I really doubt that it is wore out.  It shifts good with the old fluid, so it should be more than happy with new blood pulsing around the various pumps, etc.  

 

Here are the pics I took today.

 

Opps, forgot the weather report.  It is 71 degrees, humid and overcast.  It is winter!

Edited December 24, 2015 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Friday, December 25th.  Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!  I sincerely hope that you are all having a great day with family and friends.  Don't eat too much, and enjoy all the tools and car parts that you will surely receive.

 

There will be no Avanti work today.  But I read the factory manual for the procedure for adjusting the forward and reverse transmission bands.  Does not look too scary.  At least I will be able to check their current positions before I decide to adjust them.

 

Received this card from our son, Chris and daughter in law, Jodi.  Thought you might all enjoy it.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gc/view/animated-gc/ref=gc_animated_reveal_new_exp?_encoding=UTF8&code=C4X3TSNGABL79A&serial=

Edited December 25, 2015 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[Roger Zimmermann]

Yes, I did! Merry Christmas to all!
 

[trimacar]

Wow, nice, didn't know your Llamas could sing!

 

 

[SeventhSon]

Funny! Merry Christmas everyone!

[unimogjohn]

It is December 26th, late AM.  Headed out to the garage this morning and finished up the Avanti transmission and converter fluid change.  I did check the main transmission band and it looks to be in spec.  I am just going to leave it for now.  So I put on the new filter, gasket and cover.  Filled the transmission per the manual and then went through the gears in the garage.  It is going to be over 70 degrees and sunny tomorrow so I plan to get it on the road for a test drive.  It shifted just fine in the garage.  

 

On a funny note, we had a couple of small pumpkins on the front entrance gate posts as decorations.  Our neighbor put them there, so we just left them.  A week ago someone added a Christmas theme.  We have no idea who did this.

 

And we were out yesterday near Baltimore, Maryland; and came across this display.  It was wild.  I bet it was really pretty at night when everything was lit up.

 

Next project.  Put the radiator back on the 23 Mclaughin Buick.  

[Buicknutty]

 All those Christmas decorations make the few measly strings of lights on the front of our place sad by comparison. Love the singing Llamas!

 Keith

[unimogjohn]

I was out in the pastures today waiting for the llamas to start singing.  No singing, but a couple were humming.

 

It is Sunday, December 27th PM.  I did get some car stuff in today as it was almost 70 degrees, but overcast most of the day.  

 

Went over to Camaro Steve's early this morning.  Corvette Wayne came also and adjusted the timing now that the engine is a bit broken in.  And then we put on the hood.  The Camaro is running good, and Steve says that he has put about 35 miles on it.  

 

I headed home and popped into the Avanti and went for a 10 mile ride.  The transmission shifts smoothly and goes into all the gears just fine.  Remember it does not use first gear when in D, only 2nd and 3rd.  It shifts from 2nd to 3rd at about 15 mph.  Checked the fluid when it was hot, and it is right at the full mark.  I am happy.  Going to attempt to replace the rear leaf spring.  I may end up cutting the mounting bolts like last time, but this time I have been soaking them with Kroil over the last couple of days.  We will see how that works out.  

 

Then I went to work on the Craftsman riding mower.  I put in the new ignition coil.  She started right up.  So put almost everything back on.  Ordered some fuel filters as it needs one, so do the other mowers.  I guess I will now have to put some money into the mower.  It needs new tires and a better battery.  I will put the hood back on in a couple of days.  

 

I decided to move the John Deere mower and she would not start.  Just tried to and backfired like crazy.  After some troubleshooting, it turns out the fuel cut-off solenoid has quit working.  The needle that retracts to permit fuel into the carb will not open when 12 volts is applied.  Ordered a new one for $75.  It should be here in a week or so.  

[SeventhSon]

John, you sure stay busy fixing stuff. Reminds me of the song linked below 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Oh goody, we have a report from Greg.

 

"Not getting much done but making good time.  Day job still busy with OX-5 Curtiss engine work.

 

   Studebaker progress?      Nate has been by to get more of the R3 together but things stepped up with his day job and we're still waiting on the cylinder heads to be finished.   Likely I'll just go fetch them so we can remove the inner of the dual valve springs   to ease the pressure on the cam lobes during breakin.

 

     I did undertake the repair of the steering wheel on the maroon Avanti.    Being molded plastic,  they tend to crack,  shrink and separate in certain places and the small stainless trim rings rattle around.

   

          Rubber molds pulled from the repair of the '64 wheel resulted in a suitable job but for some reason this time those little stainless rings proved a real bear to reinstall.   Had to make a male and female die to get them started.     The wheel is now in place and waiting for the center medallion to be snapped in place.

 

            And as an added bonus,  the NOS horn contact plate means that I now have a functional horn again.  Had one before,  but seemed it chose to sound off only when it wanted  to,  usually at the wrong time (like in a funeral procession or stuck on during a BLM  protest).

 

        Photos included of  the steering wheel  and a moment from  our Christmas gathering.

  

 

[trimacar]

And, Greg came over to the house today, we repaired the passenger side top support on his '21 Dodge Brothers, put new top down so I could transport in my trailer.  Hope to get it back to him tomorrow.  Glad he got to see it done and up in place before folding!  It came out nice, considering....

[SeventhSon]

That's funny - my horn was acting up the same way as Greg's. I pulled into a gas station where a group of, ahem, motorcycle enthusiasts, were congregated. Honk, honk, honnnnnnnkkk!! Got their attention even though I wasn't trying to. "Sorry", was all I could say - I kept my teeth too!

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, December 30th.  Quick update, I got the radiator installed on the 23 McLaughlin Buick.  Still have to fit the hood, but the hard part is done.

 

And I found out where the term "two post lift" if from.

 

 

[unimogjohn]

And for those that would like to re-live the garage construction I have uploaded all the pics on my Picasa site.  Here is the link. A total of some 640 pics, best to watch as a slide show, set on 2 seconds or so.

 

 https://picasaweb.google.com/108456879037339730707/OurNewGarageConstruction

Edited December 30, 2015 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

I got the fuel shut off solenoid in the mail today so put it on the little John Deere tractor.  Quite a bit of dried gunk in the fuel bowl.  Cleaned it out and put in the valve.  The engine fired right up.  Success.

[trimacar]

OK, update on Greg's 1921 Dodge, finished the top and delivered it to the Wright Experience (Antique Airplane and Automobile Emporium).  Here's Greg working on fitting side curtains that were made 35 or 40 years ago, am going to work on those next with some left over material.  Material being used was special ordered by Greg back then, so I'm telling him it's pre-shrunk!  Very nice grain with tan backing.

 

The rest of car still very presentable, older restoration that's been lovingly used, starts right up and drives nicely.

[unimogjohn]

It is New Year's Eve, PM.  Not much mechanical stuff done today, too many farm chores.  Speaking of farm chores, we had four big round bales delivered for the llamas.  See what happens when one gets away.

 

With Alice's help I did get the hood and side panels back on the 1923 McLaughlin Buick.  Will install the lights tomorrow.  I have to do some electrical work on them also.  

 

And a final pic of the debris that came out of the fuel bowl of the little John Deere riding mower/tractor.

[unimogjohn]

January 4th, Monday, and we have a report from Greg.

 

 "Just an abbreviated report for now.

 

        Today Barbara, Nathan and I had a very nice visit and tour of Paul Rose's   Vintage Motorcars restoration facility.   His day off,  he was spending it by reassembling "Old Dave",  the ex Dave Plank/Mark Durst  1911 Model T Ford that he had recently purchased.  We got there as he was adding oil and water.   After a nicely narrated walk through and a quick lunch,   we were to witness the old Ford coming to life after he had freshened the engine and transmission.   Without much effort it was running and quietly at that.     A photo received of it parked outside his shop proves that he had begun some test driving.    Congratulations Paul.

 

           Nathan also lent me a hand by stopping by to spend some time on the Avanti R-3 engine.    Still awaiting return of the cylinder heads,    he was able to install the crankshaft  power steering and High Output supercharger pulleys.    Thanks Nate."

 

[unimogjohn]

It is Tuesday, January 6th.  Yesterday it was -5 degrees.  Too cold to do much car work even in the garage.  But I did take about an hour to mount the headlights on the 1923 McLaughlin Buick.   If it warms up a bit I will prime the vacuum fuel tank and start her up and make sure that there are no coolant leaks.

 

And we have a short report from Greg.  I believe that Greg restored this vehicle.

 

"My day yesterday was spent on the road ,  a work trip to Staunton, Va.    While there I had time to visit an old acquaintance.  Thanks to Lee Stohr for squeezing me into the picture of the 1911 Robinson  "Jumbo" series.

  Sole survivor and doing well."

 

 

 

 

[unimogjohn]

Friday, January 8th.  Not much going on in the old car department.  Just been too cold and damp to do much even in the garage.  I did take another look at the Craftsman riding mower and started her up a few times to make sure that I had fixed the engine issue.  I looked at the tires and all four have side wall rot.  So I bought four new tires and they are on their way.  I am really tired of taking tires to be mounted to the local tire store at $35 a pop.  So I bought a manual tire changer for $53 and will mount it to the floor of the garage and do them myself.  It seems like I am always running into town to change tires so I think that this will do the job.  Probably not the best quality, but will certainly do the work I need it to do.

Edited January 8, 2016 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[MikeC5]

I've been thinking about getting one of those too.  Please let us know if it does the job OK and if so, where you bought it (I think I can guess though).

[unimogjohn]

Will do.  I bought mine on Ebay, but I also see that Harbor Freight has them on sale for $44, $10's less than I paid.  There are a few videos on YouTube on the changer.  I thought about a mini-changer for just the small tires, but it was more than the larger changer.

 

All the four mower tires came yesterday, but will wait until I get the changer installed to mount them, besides I won't be mowing anytime soon.  

[unimogjohn]

It is Sunday morning, December 10th.  We have an actual work report from Greg.

 

"Cold,  damp,  dreary outside so a good day to finish a project begun years ago.    1910 Buick  leather faced cone clutch that belongs to a friend.    Another check mark on the list of things overdue."

 

And a response from our very own Trimacar, David Coco.

 

"Hey, what lazy lout left this clutch lying on my garage floor?  Oh, that's right, now I remember, it's mine!  Thanks, Greg!!"

 

It is very good to have old car friends.

 

David, is it a wet or dry clutch?

 

 

  

[trimacar]

Dry clutch, this is for the Buick Model 16, my long term project. Leather, although some people replace with Kevlar (which I understand can grab badly). Greg says to spritz with Neatsfoot oil. If you want know some obscure trivia, Google Neatsfoot and read of its history....the "neat" comes from an old English word meaning cattle, I'll let you research the rest.....

[unimogjohn]

So it looks like you will soak it for a few days?  Here is the link to the oil and its source.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil

[trimacar]

Not soak, Greg's exact word was "spritz"! I take that to mean a light spray for the surface...

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, January 13th.  Another cold day here in northern Virginia.  Will not get above freezing today, and the weather folks say it will stay this way for the next couple of weeks.  I guess you might say that winter has arrived.  

 

Once a month I take a look at YouTube to see if there are any interesting videos.  I ran across this one and thought you all might enjoy it.  It is on the Jaguar XK120 Coupe.  A good production.  And the car is painted Pastel Green too.  It has some racing bits on it so it might have an interesting history.  

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It's Friday, January 15th.  Not much going on at the farm.  I did manage to take out the Avanti for a short run of about ten miles.  Such fun!

 

I received all four tires for the Craftsman riding mower, and also got the tire changer today.  tomorrow I will head into town and get the inserts that will I will drill into the concrete garage floor to mount the changer.  Looks to be of good quality, and made in Viet Nam rather than China.

 

Also my 26 gallon Husky air compressor keep tripping the push on breaker every 20 to 30 seconds.  It is not that old so figure that the breaker is bad.  I got the replacement today and installed it.  Hope that this fixes the problem.

[unimogjohn]

Sunday, January 17th.  We had a dusting of snow this afternoon, the first of the winter season.  Going to be really cold for us the next couple of weeks.  Measurable snow is expected at the end of the week.  Maybe 12 inches or so.  Going to put the rear blade on the Kubota tractor to push the snow off the driveway.  Better check and fuel up the snow blower too.

 

I did get to Home Depot and picked up the six threaded insert expansion bolts for the garage floor.  Now I can mount the tire changer and press to the floor.  The total cost was $32.  When I do not need the changer or press I will remove the bolts and leave the threaded expansion sleeves flush in the floor.  

 

 

Edited January 17, 2016 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

It is Monday PM and still only 15 degrees.  Lots of snow coming on Friday and Saturday.  Have been getting ready to get ready. The Kubota tractor has been fueled and the back blade is on.  Sitting alongside of the Avanti in the garage, ready to start pushing the white stuff.   But until it snows we have a report from Greg.

 

"Enclosed short movie clip of  a first start of the in-progress  Curtiss  OX-5 engine.   I'd been avoiding it for some time now knowing that the internal combustion engine can be cantankerous no matter how carefully it has been attended to.

         

And this one,  which has had everything  apart,  handled and un-adjusted had every excuse to be reluctant to light off.   And also there's something about the fact that induction systems that have been cleaned  and apart for some time seem to dry out and need extra coaxing to allow the engine to come back to life.

           

out of excuses,  I decided yesterday was the day.   With Nathan in attendance and to stand Fire Guard,  we rolled it outside and gave it a try......"

 

https://youtu.be/JP8-cEi1s1c

 

Weather update:  The weather folks are now saying to expect a historic snowfall Friday and Saturday, up to two feet of snow!

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 2016 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Tuesday, brrrrrr, it is cold for us.  11 degrees this morning.  But on a happier note we got a propane delivery yesterday.  Just in time as I was down to 10% for the garage.  It took 167 gallons since it first fill in August.  I may have to ask for another 120 gallon tank to be installed.  And the house tank if full now also, 480 gallons, that will last until next fall unless we have to use the generator.  

 

And this January 19th we have a report from Greg.

 

"Since it's cool in the shop,  a good time to warm in the office and get up a progress report on something.

 

The '10 Overland hasn't seen much advancement lately.   The crankcase and crankshaft are with Kent Machine in Ohio for rebabbitting of the main bearings.    They've had it a while and are going to machine bronze shells that will then receive the alloy and all line bored for true and size.  Should be done maybe this month.

 

Meanwhile back at the ranch,   I've resumed work on the body itself by doing more repair and tightening of the back seat wooden structure.    When satisfied,  I'll approach old pal and buddy Thetan Ogle to see if he'd apply the sheet metal skin.   He'd done the repair  and should be familiar with it. 

 

And on the R-3 Avanti engine,   we've got the heads back from their checkup,   inner springs removed,  and  Nate now has them screwed in place."     

       

        We're moving,  even if it is slower than STP in January.

 

[unimogjohn]

It is Wednesday, January 20th AM.  Looks like we will be heading into town today for a few days of supplies before the snow arrives.

 

 We spent a couple of hours in the barns setting up additional tarps to provide better wind and snow protection for the llamas.  They need a place to get away from the blowing snow and have a warm and dry place to hang out.  Have to do a couple of more today.  Also waiting for a hay delivery, but we also have small bales stored for this event.  Picked up 12 50lb bags of llama feed, the llamas will not go hungry.  

 

They are still predicting over two feet of snow starting mid day Friday until Sunday morning.  Blizzard conditions are set for all day Saturday.  Going to fuel up and test the snow blower today.  The Kubota tractor is all fueled and ready to push snow.  The back blade is on also and set up to push snow off to the side.  While major clean up will be on Sunday, I am going to get out a few times to keep the totals down where we need to get around.  Tough to push two feet of snow.  

 

Headed into town and picked up longer bolts to anchor down the tire changer.  Hope to drill the holes for the anchor inserts today.

 

I also ordered an air powered tire bead seater.  I have been using a small ratchet strap to seat the tire on the rim.  Works, but it is a bit dangerous as the ratchet is under pressure and tends to jump when tension is released.  Sometimes, if you are not careful, it will jump and hit your hand, now that hurts.  I use a long screwdriver to release the tension, but I am always afraid of the force of the release.

 

I saw a shop using this and viewed a few YouTube videos on its application so decided to get it.  It arrived yesterday.  Will put it together in the next few day.  Here is a pic from the catalog.  Not much money, less than $60 from Amazon.

 

 

Will keep you all updated on the snow event.  

Edited January 20, 2016 by unimogjohn (see edit history)

[Buicknutty]

 John, that Curtiss engine sounds very nice. Always exciting to hear the first start up!

 Keith

[unimogjohn]

It is very early Friday morning, like 2 AM.  Can't sleep.  Thinking of all the snow that is coming I guess.  Now they are saying that this could be the number 1 snow for us in recorded history.   The current record is 28 inches.  Looks like we are ground zero.  We are now expecting over three feet by the time it ends early Sunday morning.  The snow is suppose to start around noon

 

I kept busy yesterday getting the farm ready for the onslaught of snow and blowing snow.  Built enclosed shelters for the llamas so they can get away from the snow and wind.  I also moved hay and feed into strategic locations so I do not have to hump food through the snow.  I think I am ready for the snow.  

 

I did run the air compressor with the new circuit breaker.  Worked great, the motor did not trip, so it looks like it was a bad breaker.  An easy $2.68 fix.  I also lightly assembled the air bead seater,   I just wanted to make sure all the fittings went into the tank OK.  Today I will put Teflon tape on the fittings and complete assembly.